Asrani Funeral: Akshay Kumar and Bollywood Stars Pay Tributes

The entertainment industry came together in grief as veteran actor Asrani’s funeral pictures surfaced online, showing the quiet farewell to one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedy legends. Following his passing on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84, an outpouring of tributes from stars including Akshay Kumar, Anees Bazmee, and other prominent personalities has highlighted the immense impact the Sholay star had on Indian cinema.

A Quiet Farewell: Honoring Asrani’s Final Wish

Despite his massive popularity and decades-long career, Asrani’s funeral was conducted in stark contrast to typical Bollywood farewells. The last rites were performed at Santacruz Crematorium in Mumbai on the evening of October 20, with only close family members and friends in attendance. Pictures from the crematorium, shared by news agency ANI, showed his family gathered for the solemn ceremony, respecting the veteran actor’s personal wish for a peaceful departure.

According to his manager Babubhai Thiba, the quiet nature of the funeral was deliberately planned: “The last rites of Asrani was performed today at Shastri Nagar Crematorium, Santacruz West, and no film personality was present there. The reason is today morning he had told his wife Manju that he doesn’t want chaos at his funeral and wants to leave peacefully. That’s why she requested Asrani’s secretary not to inform industry people.”

Akshay Kumar’s Emotional Tribute: A Co-star’s Heartfelt Goodbye

Among the most touching tributes came from Akshay Kumar, who had worked extensively with Asrani across multiple successful films. The actor’s emotional message on social media revealed the deep personal bond they shared, extending beyond their professional relationship.

“Speechless with grief at the passing of Asrani ji. We had just shared the warmest of hugs just a week back at the shoot of ‘Haiwaan’. Bahot pyare insaan the… he had the most legendary comic timing,” Akshay wrote, sharing an unseen picture with the late actor from their upcoming film.

The “Khel Khel Mein” star’s tribute highlighted their extensive collaboration: “From all my cult films ‘Hera Pheri’ to ‘Bhagam Bhag’ to ‘De Dana Dan’, ‘Welcome’ and now our unreleased ‘Bhoot Bangla’ and ‘Haiwaan’… I had worked and learned so much from him. What an absolute loss to our industry. God bless you Asrani Sir, for giving us a million reasons to laugh. Om Shanti.”

Anees Bazmee Remembers a 40-Year Friendship

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who collaborated with Asrani on films like “Welcome” and “Singh is Kinng,” shared deeply personal memories spanning four decades of friendship. His tribute painted a picture of Asrani as both a professional excellence and a warm human being.

“I’m deeply saddened. He was a fantastic actor and an equally great human being. It’s a treat to work with him; he would make us laugh off-screen as well, and on-screen, he has successfully entertained us. I’ve known him for 40 years,” Bazmee told PTI.

The director specifically remembered Asrani’s unique characteristics: “He had a trademark style in terms of how he would laugh, which no other actor could do. He was a versatile actor, but people know him more for his comedy. I’ll miss him a lot.”

Industry-Wide Mourning: A Chorus of Tributes

The loss of Asrani resonated throughout Bollywood, with tributes pouring in from across generations of actors, directors, and industry professionals. Each tribute highlighted different aspects of his multifaceted personality and professional excellence.

Amitabh Bachchan, who worked with Asrani in classics like “Sholay” and “Abhimaan,” remembered him as “a most talented colleague, a tutor to Jaya at the Film Institute.” The megastar’s blog post reflected on their professional relationship: “We lose another… Asrani Sir, sudden and saddening… prayers.”

Shabana Azmi, sharing her FTII connection with Asrani, revealed an lesser-known aspect of his contribution to cinema: “Asrani sir was our diction teacher at the film institute and the way he spoke was very beautiful. Nobody in this time even knows that diction is also a thing and I am very very sorry to hear this.”

Ajay Devgn expressed honor at sharing screen space with the veteran: “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Asrani ji. From admiring his work growing up to sharing screen space with him in ‘Bol Bachchan’ and ‘All the Best’… it was a true honour. Always full of warmth, humour and humility.”

Political Tributes: Recognition Beyond Entertainment

The impact of Asrani’s work extended beyond the entertainment industry, with political leaders also paying their respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the actor’s contribution to Indian cinema: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Govardhan Asrani Ji. A gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist, he entertained audiences across generations. He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief: “The demise of renowned actor Asrani Ji is deeply saddening. Asrani Ji contributed to Indian cinema throughout his life and carved a place in the hearts of millions by making people laugh. May God give strength to his family and admirers to bear this profound loss.”

Contemporary Stars Honor the Legend

Younger generation actors who grew up watching Asrani’s films also shared heartfelt tributes, demonstrating his cross-generational appeal.

Ayushmann Khurrana, who worked with Asrani in “Dream Girl 2,” wrote: “Rest in peace sir. It was an honour to work with you. Om Shanti!”

Rajkummar Rao shared: “Rest in Peace Asrani Sir. Thank you for making our childhood full of laughter and entertainment. Your legacy lives forever. Om Shanti.”

Farhan Akhtar remembered him as someone whose “energy, exuberance and enthusiasm lit up the screen and he was equally as warm, witty and loving off it.”

The Final Post: A Bittersweet Diwali Wish

Adding to the poignancy of his passing, Asrani had shared a Diwali greeting on his Instagram story just hours before his death. The image of diyas with “Happy Diwali” became his final message to fans, creating a bittersweet connection between celebration and farewell that moved many to tears.

This final social media post has since gone viral, with fans treating it as his last goodbye. The timing – passing away on Diwali after sending festive wishes – added an emotional layer to an already heartbreaking loss for the film fraternity.

A Career Spanning Five Decades

The tributes consistently highlighted Asrani’s remarkable career longevity and versatility. Having appeared in over 350 films across five decades, he had worked with multiple generations of actors, directors, and technicians, creating lasting relationships that extended far beyond professional collaborations.

His ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining his unique comic sensibility made him relevant across different eras of Bollywood. From the golden age of Hindi cinema in the 1970s to contemporary comedies in the 2000s and 2010s, Asrani remained a constant source of laughter and entertainment.

Legacy in Laughter: An Irreplaceable Loss

As the funeral pictures circulated and tributes continued to pour in, one sentiment remained consistent across all messages – Asrani’s irreplaceable contribution to Indian cinema’s comedy landscape. His passing marks the end of an era where character actors could achieve legendary status through pure talent and screen presence.

The veteran actor’s final journey, conducted quietly according to his wishes, perhaps reflected the humility that made him beloved both on and off screen. While the industry mourns publicly through social media tributes and interviews, the private nature of his funeral honored the man who always preferred his work to speak louder than his personality.

A Final Curtain Call

Asrani’s funeral may have been conducted quietly, but the volume of tributes and the viral nature of the farewell pictures demonstrate the immense love and respect he commanded throughout the industry. From Akshay Kumar’s personal revelations about their recent collaboration to Anees Bazmee’s four-decade friendship, each tribute adds to the mosaic of a life well-lived in service of entertainment.

As Bollywood bids farewell to one of its most cherished comedy legends, the outpouring of grief and gratitude ensures that while Asrani may have left the stage, his laughter will continue to echo through the corridors of Indian cinema for generations to come. The viral funeral pictures serve not just as documentation of his passing, but as a testament to the love and respect he earned through decades of bringing joy to millions.

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